Local Teams Advance at Tiger Classic

Monday

Dec 31, 2012 at 7:55 AMDec 31, 2012 at 7:58 AM

While many of us were still enjoying our Holiday breaks, or heading back to work after Christmas, four local teams tipped off in a day-long opener at the 2013 Tiger Hoops Classic. The fourth-seeded Bucklin/Macon County teams, as well as the second-seeded Marceline teams were all in action.

Dustin Watsonsports@linncountyleader.com

While many of us were still enjoying our Holiday breaks, or heading back to work after Christmas, four local teams tipped off in a day-long opener at the 2013 Tiger Hoops Classic. The fourth-seeded Bucklin/Macon County teams, as well as the second-seeded Marceline teams were all in action.

The BMC Raiders played against Higbee in the opening game with local teams. The Tigers drained a free throw to open scoring, but the Raiders responded with a 4-0 run off of points from Alex Porter. Toward the end of the frame, Higbee would take the lead on a 4-0 run. This ended with a free throw by Dakota Peterson to tie the game again. A hoop by Dillan Nolte would give BMC a 7-5 lead after one quarter. In the first four minutes of the second quarter, Bucklin/Macon County would go on an 11-0 run to extend their lead. This run would feature five points from Daniel Hernandez. BMC would play a lot of players in the frame, gaining them all varsity experience, and would take a 27-13 lead to the locker room at halftime.

The BMC Lady Raiders opened in the tournament against Bevier. The teams were even early on, with a three-pointer by Kailey Grinder closing an early deficit. A mid-frame basket by Savannah Jochem would be the final bucket of the opening quarter by either team. After one quarter, BMC led 6-4. Jochem and Kelsey Almond put in the first two hoops for the Lady Raiders in the second quarter. For the majority of the second frame, the BMC girls held a four point lead, but got as high as six. At halftime, the Lady Raiders led 16-12.

Next, the second-seeded Marceline Tigers took on Brunswick in the next-to-last game of the opening round. The Wildcats opened with a three-pointer, but Marceline responded with an 8-0 run to set the tempo. A pair of three-pointers by Brett McGlothlin and a basket from Frankie Herring composed this run. McGlothlin and Daniel Haas would drain three’s in the remainder of the opening frame to help the Tigers continue to build their lead. After one quarter, Marceline led 25-10. The Tigers used this game as a chance to work center Brennen Floray back into the swing of things. While not his first game of the season, this was Floray’s first action since the Monroe City Tournament. “It’s great to start off the tournament with a win,” said Floray. “I would like to get some more playing time, but I’m just easing my way back into things.”The Tigers would outscore Brunswick in the first three minutes of the second quarter, with baskets coming from McGlothlin, Floray, and Chase Hilsabeck. Both teams would go cold offensively from here for two minutes, but a late 7-0 run from the Tigers would end the first half. At halftime, Marceline led 40-15.

In the final game of the opening round, the second-seeded Marceline Lady Tigers took on Brunswick. Madison and Morgan McCormick got Marceline started off on the right foot with a 7-0 run in the first 90 seconds. Brunswick would get on the board, but another run, this time 8-0, would help the Lady Tigers build a 17-4 lead after one quarter. A putback by Morgan and a three-pointer by Kendra Gladbach would allow the Lady Tigers to open the second frame on a 5-0 run. Steals by Sydnee Brooks and Molly Shoop would lead Marceline defensively, as they embarked on a second run to extend their lead. At the half, the Lady Tigers led 34-14.